The COVID-19 situation in British Columbia is continually evolving, and the information below is current as of 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 16, 2020.

Cases:

• Total confirmed cases in B.C.: 1,575
• New cases since April 15, 2020: 14
• Hospitalized cases: 120
• Intensive care: 56
• COVID-19 related deaths: 78
• Recovered: 983
• Long-term care and assisted-living homes currently affected: 26
• Acute care unit: 1

Confirmed cases by region:

• Vancouver Coastal Health: 670
• Fraser Health: 630
• Island Health: 94
• Interior Health: 149
• Northern Health: 32

New provincial advice and measures:

• A new B.C. Business COVID-19 Support Service will serve as a single point of contact for businesses throughout the province looking for information on resources available during the COVID-19 pandemic: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020JEDC0008-000700
• The Province is providing enhanced relief for businesses by reducing most commercial property tax bills by an average of 25%, along with new measures to support local governments facing temporary revenue shortfalls as a result of COVID-19: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020FIN0020-000703
• The Government of British Columbia has launched Here2Talk, a new mental-health counselling and referral service for post-secondary students: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020AEST0024-000698
• ICBC takes further steps to reduce financial burden for drivers during pandemic: https://www.icbc.com/about-icbc/newsroom/Pages/2020-apr16.aspx

New federal measures:

• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces additional support for small businesses: https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2020/04/16/prime-minister-announces-additional-support-small-businesses
• COVID-19 guidance for high-risk and essential workplaces from Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety: https://www.canada.ca/en/centre-occupational-health-safety/news/2020/04/covid-19-guidance-for-high-risk-and-essential-workplaces.html
• COVID-19 related death of an inmate from Correctional Service Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/correctional-service/news/2020/04/covid-19-related-death-of-an-inmate.html
• Statement by Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services, on the First Nations Election Cancellation and Postponement Regulations (Prevention of Diseases) coming into effect: https://www.canada.ca/en/indigenous-services-canada/news/2020/04/statement-by-the-minister-of-indigenous-services-on-the-first-nations-election-cancellation-and-postponement-regulations-prevention-of-diseases-com.html
• Joint statement of the Alliance for Multilateralism from Global Affairs Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2020/04/joint-statement-of-the-alliance-for-multilateralism.html

Media availability schedule:

Upcoming scheduled media availabilities with Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer:
Friday, April 17 – 9:15 a.m. technical briefing on modelling; 11 a.m. media availability; 3 p.m. statement issued, Victoria
Saturday, April 18 – noon, Victoria

Resources:

• For provincial support and COVID-19 information, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/covid
• For seniors looking for additional support at this time, call 211 or visit: http://www.bc211.ca/
• For information for Indigenous peoples in B.C., visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/indigenous-people/covid19
• If you or a family member need additional medical advice, call 811.

Testing:

• 57,997 individuals have been tested as of April 15, 2020.
• If symptoms appear, check your symptoms online: https://covid19.thrive.health
  • If needed, call your health-care provider or 811 for further guidance.

Learn More:

For the latest videos and livestreaming of COVID-19 media availabilities, visit:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BCProvincialGovernment/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ProvinceofBC
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BCGovNews

For the latest medical updates, including case counts, prevention, risks and testing, visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/
Or follow @CDCofBC on Twitter.

For the provincial health officer's orders, notices and guidance, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/phoguidance

For non-health related information, including financial, child care and education supports, travel, transportation and essential service information, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/Covid-19
Or call 1 888 COVID19 (1 888 268-4319) between 7:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. (Pacific time), seven days a week.

For recommendations on protecting yourself and your community, including for employers and businesses, visit:
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/coronavirus-(novel)

For common questions about COVID-19 and terminology, visit:
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/common-questions

Worker and employer information:

For workers and employers who need help understanding the law and their rights, have workplace heath and safety questions or who need help with claims, call:
Employment Standards Branch: 1 833 236-3700
For health and safety assistance: 1 888 621-7233 (1 888 621-SAFE)
For workers and claims: 1 888 967-5377 (1 888 WORKERS)